COUNTY Hall chiefs in Suffolk have outlined a new action plan to improve services for young people in key areas.The proposed improvements, which include the provision of more youth clubs and school holiday programmes, have been drawn up following consultation with young people in the county.

COUNTY Hall chiefs in Suffolk have outlined a new action plan to improve services for young people in key areas.

The proposed improvements, which include the provision of more youth clubs and school holiday programmes, have been drawn up following consultation with young people in the county.

Research conducted in the Ipswich, Waveney and Suffolk Coastal districts, discovered youngsters required improved access to information and services through websites and telephone hotlines.

It also found they needed better education and training, and more affordable types of accommodation.

The best value review, which was conducted by Suffolk County Council, focused on areas of the county where children are at most risk of "exclusion or disengagement".

A report to be presented to the council's executive committee, shows Ipswich has the worst homeless rates in the county with one in every 1,000 young person without a home. And almost eight in every 1,000 in the town have no work training.

The report also shows drug use in Suffolk is worse in Ipswich, followed by the Waveney area and Suffolk Coastal.

Ian Porter, head of performance at the council, said: "This data tells us the potential areas where young people are particularly at risk of some form of disengagement.

"The review found young people could do with more help and assistance in various ways.

"Young people who are not going into education or employment may find difficulties so it's about how much we can do to help them in these areas."